Tag: NatureScot

ARDEER: Anger as potential Site of Special Scientific Interest sand dunes are destroyed

Wildlife experts have been left devastated by the continued intentional destruction of dune habitat on the Ardeer Peninsula in Ayrshire by its landowners – despite the dunes being ear-marked as part of a potential Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Local community groups and national wildlife organisations called on Scottish Government agency NatureScot to designate the special habitats of the Ardeer Peninsula as part of a Garnock Estuary SSSI back in 2022, building on a long-running local campaign to protect its wildlife.

As it stands, much of the Ardeer Peninsula remains under threat from a Special Development Order dating back to 1953 which removes the requirements for planning permission that are needed almost anywhere else in Scotland. 

In a welcomed move, NatureScot has been reviewing the potential boundaries for a SSSI in recent years, a vital step towards protecting its mosaic of dunes, grassland, woodlands, scrub and wetlands

However, the local community has reported that despite NatureScot engaging with landowners about the potential designation, precious and irreplaceable sand dune habitat continues to be subject to sand extraction and further degradation through the dumping of soils, while large areas of biodiverse woodland have also been cleared.

Roger Hissett from the Ardeer Action Group said, “After more than a decade of campaigning by local naturalists it is tragic to see a developer determined to destroy the special and rare habitats and wildlife of this part of the Ardeer Peninsula. 

“It is so sad that this attitude still persists into the 21st century just when the area is being considered for protection for the benefit of future generations.” 

Rebecca Lewis, Buglife Scotland and Northern Ireland Manager said, “The Ardeer Peninsula has an important role to play in supporting the Scottish Government’s commitment to reversing biodiversity loss and NatureScot’s strategic goal of protecting 30% of Scotland’s land for nature by 2030.

“We are delighted that NatureScot agree that it is worthy of consideration for SSSI notification, but the ongoing activity is a blow to the integrity of this nationally important wildlife site- which has been called Scotland’s best site for bees.”

It is hoped that some of the damage that has taken place could be reversed with appropriate management and funding. The Garnock Estuary, which includes the Ardeer Peninsula in Stevenston and Garnock East in Irvine, is a unique mosaic of dunes, grassland, woodlands, scrub and wetlands.

Although it has been modified by the site’s complex industrial past, it remains an incomparable haven for wildlife, including species that have been lost across much of the landscape.

It is home to over 1,000 invertebrate species, including at least 99 of conservation concern and some found nowhere else in Scotland. The estuary is one of the most important breeding bird populations on the Lower Clyde coast and supports at least 46 rare plants, including endemic sub-species and those for which Scotland has an international responsibility.

PICTURES: IAIN HAMLIN

Tackling urban gull problems

New funding for affected towns and cities

Communities across Scotland will benefit from £100,000 to tackle disruptive urban gull populations.

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie will chair a summit in Inverness today bringing together local councillors, housing associations, business representatives, waste management organisations and community groups, scientific experts and NatureScot.

The summit was called to address growing concerns about gull behaviour in urban areas, where populations are increasing, even as coastal numbers decline.

He will also confirm that NatureScot will be investing £100,000 in councils to support efforts to limit the damage caused by gulls, ahead of next year’s breeding season. Deterrents can include measures such as the use of lasers, noise, roof spikes and netting to prevent nesting.

Mr Fairlie said: “The summit allows us to share practical solutions, learn from real-world examples and identify gaps in current policies to develop a coordinated approach.

“We know that effective gull management often requires a range of solutions, particularly around litter management which provides food sources.

“Where public safety is at risk, NatureScot can issue control licences. Our focus now is on how we can prevent these issues from arising next year, with extra support provided and I look forward to seeing the projects that this additional funding will help.

“By working directly with affected communities and expert advisors we can ensure solutions are tailored to local circumstances with effective deterrents that make urban areas less attractive to gulls.”

Professor Colin Galbraith, NatureScot Chair, said: “The evidence is clear that our gull populations are in decline. In some areas, gulls have adapted to the pressures they face – from climate change to food shortages and avian flu – by moving into our towns and cities in search of easier food and safe nest sites.

“We understand that some urban areas are experiencing issues with gulls and that this can have an impact on people’s lives, especially during the nesting season.

“While the debate on urban gulls has long centred on control through licensing, and that will undoubtably remain part of the picture, it is important at the same time to look at the underlying reasons for any problems, including the availability of food and nest sites for the gulls in urban settings.

“This funding will support local authorities to develop proactive and collaborative plans to manage gulls in a way that balances their conservation with any control activities.”

Action to restore seabird populations

Scottish Seabird Conservation Action Plan published

Pic Greg Macvean 27/06/2024 Isle of May

Measures such as eradicating non-native invasive predators on seabird islands and restoring seagrass meadows and kelp forests to help increase food supplies are just some of the actions set out today to protect Scotland’s seabirds.

Scotland’s coastline and waters are of global importance to seabirds but almost two thirds of Scotland’s species have declined over the last 20 years.

The Scottish Seabird Conservation Action Plan sets out a range of steps to stop the decline, improve resilience to environmental factors and protect these iconic animals. Including:

  • enhancing food availability by improving conditions for prey and minimising bycatch and tackling marine litter
  • providing safe nesting areas by eradicating non-native invasive predators such as brown rats and American mink
  • undertaking key research and monitoring of Scottish seabirds to understand how to build resilience and reduce mortality rates
  • working in partnership with local and international communities, marine and coastal sectors, and environmental organisations to tackle issues on a global scale

The action plan was developed in partnership with NatureScot, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and British Trust for Ornithology. 

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action Gillian Martin said: “The climate crisis, invasive non-native species, marine litter and access to food are contributing to declining seabird numbers around the world.

“Publishing the Scottish Seabird Conservation Action Plan today marks a vital step forward in protecting some of our most iconic and vulnerable marine species and sets out actions to collectively tackle pressures affecting seabirds.  

“I’m confident that with concerted effort and shared responsibility, we can stop the declines we are seeing in our seabird populations and increase their resilience to a changing climate to secure their future.   

Pic Greg Macvean 07/07/2021 – Bass Rock landing

“As top predators, seabirds are indicators of the health of marine ecosystems, playing a crucial role in maintaining balance within marine food webs. Seabirds also have a significant role in the economy supporting a thriving tourism industry that is vital to local economies, particularly in rural and island communities. 

“Only by working together can we ensure that Scotland remains a global stronghold for seabirds for the benefit of us all, now and in the future.” 

NatureScot Chair Colin Galbraith said: “Scotland is a crucial area for internationally important populations of seabirds to breed and forage. The latest research shows many seabird populations are in decline.

“This new Action Plan will help these vulnerable seabird populations recover and will help the overall wellbeing of the marine environment on which they depend. Having healthy seas is important, and can safeguard livelihoods and food, whilst tackling the urgent issues of nature loss and the climate impacts.”

Scottish Seabird Centre CEO Harry Huyton said: “From the great gannet colonies on St Kilda and Bass Rock, to the puffin burrows that crowd the grassy slopes of Unst and the Isle of May, Scotland is blessed with extraordinary seabird populations.

“Many are of international importance, yet most seabird species in Scotland are in decline, and urgent, transformative action is needed to save them.

“The ambition and actions set out in the new Seabird Action Plan are exactly what’s needed, but it’s critical that they are now delivered with urgency and fully embedded across Government.”

Scottish seabird conservation action plan – gov.scot

PICTURES: Greg Macvean

Record levels of peatland restored

Scotland on track to meet interim peatland restoration target

More than 14,000 hectares of degraded peatlands have been restored across Scotland in the last year, helping to reduce carbon emissions and restore biodiversity.

Peatlands are areas of wet land that support habitats and species that are important for biodiversity, they also protect the wider ecosystem by improving water quality and reducing the severity of flooding. 

Covering nearly two million hectares, Scotland is home to two-thirds of the UK’s peatlands. However, nearly three-quarters of Scotland’s peatlands is currently degraded.

The Scottish Government has pledged £250 million to support the restoration of 250,000 hectares of peatlands by 2030, with an interim target of 110,000 hectares by 2026. A total of 90,000 hectares have been restored since 1990 and 14,860 of those were completed throughout the 2024-25 financial year.

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said: “As we celebrate World Peatlands Day, I am very pleased to report Scotland’s Peatland ACTION partnership has put 14,860 hectares of degraded peatlands on the road to recovery last year. This is a new record in one year.

“Restoring peatland benefits our environment by reducing emissions, reducing risks of flooding and wildfires and improving water quality, it also invests in people and skills, creating green jobs in rural communities.

“This means we have exceeded our 2024 Programme for Government commitment and represents a 42% increase over the 10,360 hectares restored during 2023-24. I thank all of our partners for their sustained efforts and tenacity in delivering another milestone figure.”

Nick Halfhide, NatureScot Interim Chief Executive, said: “As key partners in the Scottish Government’s Peatland ACTION Partnership, NatureScot has successfully facilitated 65% of the restoration work completed in 2024-25.

“This significant achievement contributes substantially towards the overall target of 250,000 hectares of degraded peatland being put on the road to recovery by 2030.

“Restoring Scotland’s degraded peatlands is essential to addressing both the climate and nature emergencies – it makes a vitally important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while providing broader benefits for biodiversity and water quality.”

A key delivery partner of the Peatland ACTION Partnership, Forestry and Land Scotland has delivered 1744ha of peatland restoration work across Scotland in the last year surpassing its yearly target of 1500ha. CEO Kevin Quinlan said:

“Forestry and Land Scotland is proud to be supporting the Scottish Government’s commitment to restoring 250,000 hectares of peatlands by 2030 as a key delivery partner in the Peatland ACTION Partnership.

“Every site we restore adds to the scale of the contribution we make in efforts to transform and restore one of Scotland’s largest degraded ecosystems to create a far healthier landscape.”

NatureScot is due to publish the Peatland ACTION Annual Review 2024-25 this week.

Green space is good for you

A new Outdoor Recreation report from NatureScot’s Scotland’s People and Nature Survey (SPANS) 2023/24 reveals that 61% of Scots engage in outdoor recreation at least weekly, with 17% venturing out daily. It also highlights the importance of urban greenspaces in outdoor recreation.

The survey found that 41% of outdoor visits in Scotland take place in a park or other open greenspace in an urban area, making them the most popular destination. Woodland and forest visits follow closely at 39%.

Young people (16-34 years) and residents of the 10% most derived areas are more likely to use urban greenspaces, reinforcing their importance in ensuring equitable access to nature.

However, residents from the most deprived areas are less likely to engage in outdoor activities, pointing to a need for more inclusive policies and investments in local parks.

People in Scotland participate in a wide range of outdoor activities with walking being the most popular outdoor activity, the overwhelming majority of visits involved walking (93%).

Walking was also the most popular way to get to local parks, overall, 84% of people said they normally walk or wheel to their local greenspace.

These findings emphasize the crucial role of local, accessible urban greenspaces in promoting health and well-being.

Read the full report

Tackling the nature emergency

Ambition to halt Scotland’s nature loss by 2030

Enhancing water and air quality, protecting and restoring vulnerable marine and coastal ecosystems, and establishing a programme of species recovery are all part of a new plan to make significant progress in restoring nature by 2045.

A new Biodiversity Delivery Plan for 2024-2030 contains over 100 actions to accelerate the pace and scale of efforts to address the biodiversity crisis.

It supports the Biodiversity Strategy, which sets out a strategic vision for a nature positive, net zero future where natural environment loss is halted and restored. Statutory targets for nature will be included in a new Natural Environment Bill to be introduced this Parliamentary year.

Delivery plan actions include:

  • substantially reducing deer densities, protecting 30% of land for nature and developing a nature positive agriculture programme
  • investing in nature restoration – through the Nature Restoration Fund, more than £65 million over this parliament and investing in woodland creation and peatland restoration
  • tackling the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, particularly engaging and strengthening the connection between people and nature

Launching the plan at Bawsinch and Duddingston Reserve, Acting Climate Minister Dr Alasdair Allan said: “The Global Climate Emergency and the Nature Emergency are twin reinforcing crises: the actions we take to address each are fundamental to our wellbeing and survival as a species. We need a partnership approach to delivery – government cannot do it alone.

“This new Biodiversity Delivery Plan sets out clear actions that government, businesses and individuals can take to protect and restore our precious natural environment for future generations to come.

“The whole of society has a role to play but especially the stewards of our land, rivers, lochs and seas such as farmers, gamekeepers and fishers who have the knowledge and skills to drive the transformation that is needed.

“Biodiversity supports these essential industries – food production needs pollinators and healthy soils whilst, fish and fish farming depend on healthy, thriving seas.”

NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith said: “We all rely on nature for our survival, and it is everyone’s responsibility to care for it. The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy is Scotland’s response to the nature crisis, and it sets out a clear and comprehensive plan, supported by a series of actions that will help restore nature back to a healthy, thriving state.

“To restore nature across Scotland will take a sustained national effort, but in doing so, we will increase our resilience to climate change and reaffirm our connection with the natural world. This will bring many benefits for the people of Scotland, and we urge everyone to stand up and play their part in creating a net-zero and nature positive future for all.”

Jo Pike, Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “We are pleased to see the launch of the long-awaited and much-needed Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Delivery Plans.

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust believes that a huge effort is needed across the whole of society if we are to realistically tackle the climate and nature emergencies. Alongside the strategy, we welcome the Government’s commitment to develop statutory targets for nature’s recovery in the forthcoming Natural Environment Bill.

“Together, they can help us move closer to realising the ambitions of the many people who have fed into this strategy. However, this will require leadership at all levels, increased resources and a recognition that nature is vital to our economy, our wellbeing and our future.” 

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Strategic Biodiversity Framework Delivery Plan 2024–2030 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) | NatureScot

Biodiversity – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Nature’s role in Scottish economy

Jobs and sectors dependent on sustainable natural world

Scotland’s natural assets contribute more than £40 billion to the economy and support around 260,000 jobs, according to new research. 

The Importance of Natural Capital to the Scottish Economy report highlights the vital economic contribution the natural world makes to Scotland and highlights the value of the ecosystems and the services they provide. 

Important industries such as agriculture, fishing and aquaculture, forestry, water, food and drink and renewables all rely upon the continued availability of high-quality natural resources. 

The research investigates the economic impact of natural capital, which is defined as “the renewable and non-renewable stocks of natural assets, including geology, soil, air, water and plants and animals that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people.” 

The Scottish Government conducted the research to provide the most up-to-date reflection of the true value of nature to the Scottish economy, as it is often undervalued or not included in economic assessments. 

The study demonstrates the link between the threats to Scotland’s economic performance, and the economic opportunity associated with increasing nature dependent sectors.

The Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) makes clear that working with and investing in nature is a top priority of Scotland’s wellbeing economy.    

Speaking while visiting Blackthorn Salt in Ayrshire, which produces salt through filtering sea water, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said:  “This research reinforces the vital role of our natural capital in supporting many of our vital industries – a connection that is often under-represented when we look at economic performance.

“Blackthorn Salt is an excellent example of a business that is dependent on natural capital, using sustainable, traditional methods to produce an exceptional products that provides jobs and can be found in kitchens across the country and beyond.

“The twin crises of climate change and nature loss are inextricably linked, nature offers some of the best ways to protect us from the worst impacts of climate change, so it is essential that we work with partners across the public sector and private investors to protect biodiversity and reduce our emissions as we support sustainable businesses utilising our incredible landscapes and ecosystems.”

NatureScot Chief Executive, Francesca Osowska said: “Nature is vital for our quality of life and that of future generations. In Scotland we are fortunate to have rich and varied landscapes and habitats, with individuals and businesses willing to step up to the challenge of stopping nature loss with hard work and investment.

“NatureScot is responding to this urgent need with leadership of vital programmes such as the £250m Peatland ACTION fund, the £65m Nature Restoration Fund and the innovative new Facility for Investment Ready Nature Scotland (FIRNS) which aims to both restore nature and benefit communities. “

Scottish fishers successfully trial innovative fishing gear to prevent whale entanglement in ropes

A breakthrough collaborative project with creel fishers has successfully trialled a simple and relatively low-cost solution to the problem of whale entanglement that could be rolled out internationally saving many whales and sharks.

The project led by marine charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC),and funded by the Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund managed by NatureScot, trialled the use of specially designed rope in Scottish pot fisheries that sinks rather than floats.

The rope currently used in the fishery is buoyant and forms floating loops in the water rather than lying on the seabed.

These loops can be several metres high and have been found to entangle whales and other marine animals such as basking sharks. Previous studies had found the majority of whales and basking sharks entangled in static fishing gear (pots, or creels as they are known in Scottish fisheries) are caught in this floating groundline rope linking a line of creels together.

It is estimated that an average of 6 humpback whales, 30 minke whales, and 29 basking sharks become entangled annually.

Where entanglement type was known, 83% of minke and 50% of humpback whales, and 76% of basking sharks were caught in groundlines between creels. If there are no large floating rope loops, then whales and sharks cannot become entangled in them.

Over a period of 18 months 15 fishing vessels targeting langoustine and crabs from the Inner Sound and Sound of Sleat area east of the Isle of Skye replaced floating rope in their creel groundlines with sinking rope to assess whether there were any problems with using it. Fishers reported back each time they hauled their gear, and details of over 1500 hauls were logged in the trial.

Trials were needed to determine whether it was practical for fishers to use this sinking rope. Problems which were anticipated such as snagging, or being difficult to handle were very rare.

The fishers involved in the trial reported positive experiences with using the rope, and there were no impacts on the seabed. 

Susannah Calderan, who managed the project for WDC, said; ‘The Scottish inshore creel fishery plays an important economic and community role in rural coastal areas in Scotland. Resolving the issue of entangling whales would be a major step forward in fisheries management as well as animal conservation and welfare.

‘It’s been great working with the Inner Sound fishers on this project, and we have an almost-unique opportunity to make a real impact on whale bycatch. We now have to move to the next step, which is consulting with other fishers around Scotland and with the Government to understand the possible options for implementing sinking rope more widely.’

Sinking groundline represents a simple, relatively low-cost option to greatly reduce entanglement risk.

The very successful, bottom-up, partnership approach with Scottish creel fishers and the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation (SCFF) demonstrated the importance of collaborative approaches to address complex conservation and management issues. Its implications are key to supporting the Scottish Government’s commitment to reduce incidental bycatch in fisheries.

Bally Philp from SCFF, who participated in this trial, said ‘This trial has shown there can be win-win outcomes for both fishermen and marine life, and we’re all working together to achieve this’.

Environmental DNA offers a potentially powerful new tool for assessing nature in Scotland

The key to assessing Scotland’s ecological health and supporting nature conservation could lie in the analysis of environmental DNA, scientists have found. 

Recent research, directed and supported by organisations including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), NatureScot, and the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate, and delivered by NatureMetrics, showed how studying traces of genetic material found in the environment can help inform efforts to tackle the ecological crisis. 

The collaborative project aimed to test the effectiveness of environmental DNA analysis as a practical tool for biological monitoring programmes and biodiversity reporting purposes across a wide variety of habitats in Scotland. 

Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is genetic material present in the environment, such as in water, soil, or air. eDNA can be traced from shed cells, bodily fluids, or biological secretions deposited by animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. 

The main report showed eDNA analysis can be used to detect, identify, and map the distribution of many different species, including important threatened and invasive species, simultaneously – without directly observing or collecting them. 

Dr Pauline Lang, Lead Project Partner and Research Contract Manager for SEPA, said: “Using eDNA methods can help us increase monitoring coverage and get a more holistic picture of nature – to better understand the diversity of life across Scotland and target changes needed to help protect and improve our environment. 

“While conventional habitat monitoring requires a wide variety of survey techniques, expertise, and resources, eDNA-based monitoring employs relatively simple field sampling methods that can be applied to different habitats.” 

Monitoring biodiversity across different habitats 

The study was conducted across Scotland, with eDNA samples taken from sites including Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and Cairngorms National Park. 

During one sampling survey conducted as part of the project, researchers detected nearly 9,000 different species present in 358 eDNA samples collected from four habitat types in Scotland: marine lochs, freshwater lochs, woodlands, and peatlands. 

They were able to identify differences in biological communities associated with distinct habitat conditions, and therefore classify sites based on their condition by eDNA testing alone. 

The classification for freshwater lochs using fish and invertebrate eDNA showed encouraging results, as did sampling fungal eDNA to assess woodland soil condition. 

The report recommends studying eDNA in more undisturbed habitats to measure environmental quality, determining the minimum number of samples to be collected for different monitoring objectives, and establishing standard guidelines for producing, storing, and using eDNA data. 

Dr Iveta Matejusova, Environmental Genomics Group Leader for The Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate and Project Partner, said: “eDNA offers a valuable insight into the biodiversity of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. This study provides further demonstration of its potential applications, for example to assess the health of seabed habitats. 

“We are pleased to see the progress made on determining the minimum number of samples to be collected for different monitoring objectives and we are excited to start building on and incorporating these findings into our monitoring and reporting frameworks.”  

Prof Colin Bean, NatureScot’s Senior Policy and Advice Manager for Fish and Fisheries and Project Partner, said: “This research clearly demonstrates the advantages of using eDNA to screen ecological health and monitor biodiversity. 

“It should provide valuable insights on how to use this technology to assess Scotland’s habitats in future years – in turn, helping us tackle the nature-climate crises.”

Saving Scotland’s nature is ‘a top priority’

Over £30 million invested in restoration projects

Around 150 projects across Scotland have received support from the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund since its launch in 2021.

More than £30 million has been invested to date, either directly to projects and community groups or through Scotland’s 32 local authorities and two National Parks.

The flagship fund, administered by NatureScot, aims to restore species and habitats, protect marine and coastal areas, eradicate invasive, non-native species, and improve the health and wellbeing of local communities.

Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater visited the Pentland to Portobello Greening Project to see works completed with support from the Nature Restoration Fund. The project received a grant of £201,556.42 to improve, connect and expand existing green spaces in mostly deprived areas of Edinburgh.

Ms Slater said: “I’m proud that since establishing the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund at COP26 in Glasgow we’ve already invested £30 million in projects large and small to protect and enhance our rivers, land and seas.

“This is making an important contribution to the goals established in Scotland’s new Biodiversity Strategy to be nature positive and to reverse the declines in nature.

“Right now, we’re consulting on the first 5-year Delivery Plan to implement our Biodiversity strategy – along with proposals for new targets for nature restoration that could be put into law, in line with those for climate change.

“Biodiversity can help mitigate against flooding, improve access to greenspace in our urban areas: it is our best chance to adapt to climate change and ensure a legacy for future generations.”

NatureScot Chair Professor Colin Galbraith said: “The Nature Restoration Fund is vital in tackling the nature and climate crises, with significant work taking place across the country to help put nature back on the road to recovery.

“Flower meadows, hedgerows and wetlands are being restored, creating habitats for wildlife. Rivers are being returned to their natural courses to reduce flooding, whilst large areas of Scotland’s rainforest are being enhanced.

“We are incredibly proud to support the work that individuals, communities, and organisations are doing to help Scotland become a nature-rich, net-zero nation.”